Hyperacusis treatment-- what works?

I am intrigued as I have recently developed significant hyperacusis. What type of patch does Dr. Boedts use? I realize that we may not have the same treatments available in the US, but am very curious about the entire treatment regimen.
Thank you.

Dear Ellen,
Dr Boedts has developped these patches himself, with other researchers at Gent Uni & Hospital I suppose). I only know they are made out of material that dissolves naturally in the body, which is why the process (5 minutes) needs to be repeated. Normally he combines this with A. temporary medication (0,5 benzo and 0,5 antidepressant, I forgot the name but it is a new kind which has effect within a week), B. Transcutane electrostimulation of the brain, C. Orofacial therapist who also uses a form of electrocurrent to release trigeminus D. Psychotherapy.
He also works with a clinic Brai3n.com for severe cases.
My own experience is limited to the patches and electrostimulation.
From what I read online, there are many different types of electrostimulation available and it seems the USA is ahead of Europe. Which is also the case for visual therapy, such as I take for the visual overdependency.
Personally, I am also supported by my meditation practice and lots of workshops, trainings on yoga, nervous system,... However, I am now working in person with a therapist who combines Feldenkrais with BMC (Body mind Centering) and that is an amazing process: I feel more grounded and learn how to open up spaces in my head... Which is lowering symptoms and the "alertness" in a dramatic way. I believe this type of therapy is also morw widely available in the US than here.
I did a lot of online Feldenkrais classes with a US-platform movementandcreativity. Com. Possibly my body reacts so fully to this in person treatment with touch because of this basis. Maybe MovementandCreativity can direct you towards a practicioner?
Or maybe your doctor could contact Dr Boedts, Luisterkliniek Gent?
Truly hopes this helps you too

Dear DLoos,
I really feel for you.

Dr Boedts vision on tinitus etc is that there is often a physical starter (in your case the virus, in my case the mandibular condyles being trashed) which leads to "over-alertness".
Our hearing system incl the muscles around the mandibula are never "off". Even when we sleep, part of our nervous system remains alert for potential danger.
And with an extra physical issue and/or stress ad/or sensitivity due to unsafe childhood or other factors, the system goes in overdrive and cannot get back to homeostasis, a relaxed state.
This is why he combines working on the symptoms (patches on overtense tympan, fisio) with brain and nerve stimulation to truly reconnect the neurotransmitters (sorry, can't explain, it is something about repairing brain connections and cells and relax).

From the research I did, many "treatments" are more readily available in the US than in Europe (where they are not re-imbursed btw).

* Only the patches: Dr Boedts, Luisterkliniek Gent has developped these patches himself. I only know they are made out of material that dissolves naturally in the body, which is why the process (5 minutes) needs to be repeated.
Normally he combines this with A. temporary medication (0,5 benzo and 0,5 antidepressant, I forgot the name but it is a new kind which has effect within a week), B. Transcutane electrostimulation of the brain, C. Orofacial therapist who also uses a form of electrocurrent to release trigeminus D. Psychotherapy.
He also works with a clinic Brai3n.com for severe cases.
My own experience is limited to the patches and electrostimulation.
From what I read online, there are many different types of electrostimulation available and it seems the USA is ahead of Europe.

Which is also the case for visual therapy, such as I take for the visual overdependency.

Personally, I am also supported by my meditation practice and lots of workshops, trainings on yoga, nervous system,...
And recently face yoga, with someone really good, explaining uscle groups, not a shouty twenty something talking about wrinkles. She teaches online, in Spanish, if that would help.

But mostly, I am now working in person with a therapist who combines Feldenkrais with BMC (Body mind Centering) and that is an amazing process: I feel more grounded and learn how to open up spaces in my head... Which is lowering symptoms and the "alertness" in a dramatic way. I believe this type of therapy is also more widely available in the US than EU.
I did a lot of online Feldenkrais classes with a US-platform movementandcreativity. Com. Possibly my body reacts so fully to this in person treatment with touch because of this basis.
Maybe MovementandCreativity can direct you towards a practicioner?
When I was totally down and out in 2023 and could not cook or do yoga (vertigo), I did hours of their online classes, just to get back into my body, and move slowly and stop worrying.

Oh, I also recently got a plastic thing (opbeetplaat, gouttière in my languages) to put on my lower teeth at night, at home. I do not have bruxism, but it does seem to reduce tension in the jaws, which in turn reduces tension in the ear, migraine etc

Truly hopes this helps you too

One more thing:
I also recently got a plastic thing (opbeetplaat, gouttière in my languages) to put on my lower teeth at night, at home. I do not have bruxism, but it does seem to reduce tension in the jaws, which in turn reduces tension in the ear, migraine etc

Interesting.
I also had an appliance made thinking my issues might be TMJ related. I wore the appliance almost constantly for about twelve weeks with no change.

I had electro-stimulation on my brain for a few months with no change.
Also interesting that you mention traumatic experience because I had a home invasion robbery a few years before Covid. I thought I was recovered from that trauma, but it seems Covid may have re-started fight or flight response.

I have honestly had hundred (yes hundreds!) of appointments over the last two years seeking answers. So far, no improvement and the conditions seem to be slowly progressing.
I guess other than the patches You find helpful, I have already tried many of the therapies you mention...acupuncture, chiropractic, yoga and meditation, sound therapy...the list goes on and on.
The key to my maladies is yet to be found.

Thank you all for your input. The only thing that seemed to help me after back to back TBI'S, were noise canceling earphones. The regular earplugs from audiologist did not cut the pain. Problem is the noise canceling ones are too bulky. Difficult to express how totally life changing Hyperacusis can be. It gives me a deeper appreciation of how many of our military members suffer from this condition all their lives.

I took part in a hyperacusis study trial that was helpful. Augustana College with a Dr Ann perreau

They may still be doing the trials. It had us work our way up to daily listening of a mildly irritating sound. 15 minutes a day to start week 1. All the way up to 60 minutes a day, week 4. It was hard but it worked. Didn’t cure me but certainly helped.

@dloos what sort of sound therapy did you try? I did a Safe and Sound Listening protocol with music by Dr Stephen Porges and also a hyperacusis trial at Augustana College (online) that had us listen to an irritating sound and work our way up to 60 mins a day. I seem to have good success for a bit and then bam! My fight and flight response comes back. I used an Apollo Neuro wearable device for a few years too. And i think now that it stopped working when i dropped it in water;(, I am feeling the difference of not having it daily. It used gentle touch stimulation to help control HRV. It’s about $400 but I might buy another one since Im noticing a change being without it. Good luck to you.